Day Therapy Centres

The centres may also focus on health and wellbeing by providing daily exercise programs and access to allied health needs such as diversional therapy, occupational therapy, access to podiatry, and physiotherapy.

Some centres may provide meals and a range of other services such as hairdressing, social support or continence and toileting support.

Interactive activities at these centres may include arts and craft, cooking, history, gardening, self help, and mutual problem solving.

Types of CBC services available include day care, dementia day care, overnight respite, dementia group, social group, and respite care.

CBC fees and charges may vary from centre-to-centre, with some CBCs charging a daily fee to cover everything from transport to group excursions/outings, and meals or light refreshments.

Ensure you enquire about the fees and charges involved before using CBC services.

For a list of CBC services, see pages 187 –189.

Day Therapy Centres

Day Therapy Centres (DTC) offer services to older people living in the community and residents of Government funded aged care homes.

There are more than 140 Day Therapy Centres Australia-wide offering:

Physiotherapy

Occupational therapy

Speech therapy

Podiatry

Diversional therapy

Social work

Preventative and/or personal therapies

Transport to and from the DTC

Food at the DTC and many other services

DTC can assist to either recover or maintain a level of independence. Generally, the DTC will develop an agreed care plan for you and this may include recommendations for therapy and referrals to other service providers where necessary.

You may be required to pay a small negotiated fee for services, however, if you are unable to pay you may not be refused access to DTC services.

If you find yourself in need of therapy services like those listed, you will need to find out if you’re eligible via a RAS assessment.

Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 for an assessment, ask for a referral code, and then choose the DTC you want.

You’ll find a list of DTC on pages 185 –186 of this Guide.

Veterans’ support

If you are a veteran, war widow or widower, you may be in line to receive extra help in your home from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

If you are having a hard time doing the regular household chores, struggling to get in and out of the shower or bath safely, or if you just can’t manage the gardening or household maintenance, then the Veterans’ Home Care (VHC) program could organise people to help you.

The VHC program offers a range of services including domestic assistance, personal care, safety related home and garden maintenance, or respite care in your own home or residential care facility.

If you have specific medical care needs or need more intensive assistance, a nurse from the Community Nursing program may be able to help you stay in your own home for longer. Services may include medication management, wound care or hygiene assistance.

To receive these services, you need to be referred for an assessment by an appropriate health professional. This could be your GP, a treating doctor in hospital, a hospital discharge planner or a VHC assessment agency.

Call the Veterans’ Home Care Assessment Agency on 1300 550 450 to find out what support services are available to you and how you can access them.